Accra: Mr Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Spokesperson for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the Government to demonstrate greater tolerance for dissenting opinions, warning that attempts to intimidate critics undermine Ghana's democratic credentials.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Aboagye emphasized that democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas and differing viewpoints. He stressed that a political environment in which citizens fear speaking openly cannot be described as democratic. His remarks came ahead of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 'Democracy Under Attack' demonstration scheduled for Thursday. The protest aims to draw national attention to concerns over alleged political persecution, selective justice, abuse of state institutions, and what is considered the growing intimidation of opposition members.
Mr Aboagye expressed concern over a growing culture of fear among citizens, alleging that government critics increasingly feel vulnerable to intimidation and persecution. He questioned, "If you are in government and people are afraid to speak, then what becomes of democracy?" He highlighted that the State's power could easily target individuals perceived as opponents.
Although Mr Aboagye has not personally experienced such treatment, he noted that many Ghanaians, especially those in remote communities, allegedly face unfair actions by security and judicial systems. He cited a young woman's case, who was remanded under bail conditions she couldn't meet, as an example of troubling trends within the justice delivery system.
Mr Aboagye revealed that he, on behalf of his group, the People's Forum, had written to the Chief Justice weeks ago to raise concerns about the increasing confidence of security agencies in securing favorable court outcomes. He alleged that some security agencies believe their cases proceed without sufficient judicial scrutiny, arguing that stronger judicial oversight would effectively check power abuses by law enforcement agencies.
He criticized the criminalization of insults, stating that incarcerating citizens for making insulting remarks is inconsistent with democratic governance and constitutional freedoms. He called for public education rather than imprisonment as a response to offensive language. Mr Aboagye urged institutions like the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to intensify efforts in helping citizens understand the distinctions between protected speech, insults, and criminal threats, as well as legal limits to free expression.
Furthermore, he questioned arrests over social media comments, noting that many users lack an understanding of legal boundaries for online expression. Mr Aboagye urged the Government to prioritize education and engagement over what he described as intimidation tactics to discourage public criticism, emphasizing that the responsibility should be to educate citizens on lawful expression instead of silencing them through fear.